KIRKUS REVIEW

Still marooned on a strange island, three friends fight to
protect a magical map.

With only the briefest recap of series opener Mystery of the Map (2016), this sequel
jumps right in where its predecessor ended: Mya (Asian), Jorge (Latino), and
Oliver (white) are adrift in the waters around the mysterious island
Poptropica, continually pursued by the nefarious Octavian (five o’clock
shadowed). With the aid of their unreliable magic map, the trio floats in and
out of different time periods. The bulk of their voyage finds them on a
strange, frozen island (the map does not provide a distinguishing time period
for it), with shipwrecked, snowbound, scurvy-ridden sailors. They quickly learn
that not only is Octavian right at their heels, but a group of tattooed captors
is also after them, meaning them harm. The action in this volume moves at a frenetic
pace as the stranded children disjointedly amble from one adventure to another,
with no real narrative cohesion. Unlike the online game (upon which this is based), it offers no real information about the time periods the children visit
beyond an arbitrary date and a slapstick-addled adventure. Although many
plotlines are teased, little is explained, making for a frustrating reading
experience.

Die-hard fans of the game may stick out
adventuring with the recognizable, wide-eyed gang, but with an unfocused plot
and confusing twists, this just feels like a money grab. (Graphic
adventure/fantasy. 8-12)

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